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Classic Vinyl

With Allan Day

WOODSTOCK THE END

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The Stage Area in 1969
 The Stage Area Today
 Woodstock Plaque

So Woodstock has held up as a benchmark for the older Generation to make comparisons to future concerts---that is a  load of crap, but it always comes up in the history books of music. Sorry I gotta say there have been many many great festivals put on since then---Sars and Live 8 Canada are just two festivals that show big crowds can get along in peace and harmony. But we should all remember Altamont was just around the corner as most events can be too much of a good thing, Blame it on The Stones
 
Here are a few more facts I found on the Aftermath of Woodstock---Bethel voters tossed out their supervisor in an election held in November 1969 because of his role in bringing the festival to the town. New York State and the town of Bethel passed mass gathering laws designed to prevent any more festivals from occurring. They even went so far as owners spreading chicken manure, and set up roadblocks in the area that festival goers (20,000) gathered to commemorate the impromptu 20th anniversary celebration. the town of Woodstock made several efforts to cash in on it's notoriety. Bethel has changed it's ways and now embraces the festival.
 
The Woodstock site today now has a plaque at the original site commemorating the festival and the field stage area remain preserved in their rural setting. On the field are the remnants of a neon flower and a bass from the original concert. Also a totem pole with wood carvings of Jimi Hendrix in the middle, Janis Joplin on top and Jerry Garcia on the bottom. A concert hall has been set up, up the hill and the fields of the old Yasgur farm are still visited by people of all generations.
 
In 2008 the Museum at Bethel Woods opened to the public with film and interactive displays, text panels and artifacts that explore the unique experience of the Woodstock festival, its significance as the event of a decade of radical cultural transformation and the legacy of the Sixties and Woodstock today. I'm sure all the grey haired hippies with ponytails make the pilgrimage to remember the ideals of love and peace
 
Thanks to Wikipedia with this weeks storyline---remember I wasn't there, so I did need a source.
 
This weeks youtubes, more of Woodstock The Who "See Me, Feel Me" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7AHblQ3..._oM Canned Heat with "Woodstock Boogie" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V55FfDnkQ6o and lastly Woodstock1969 "Looking back 40 Years Later" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWJhQZ2_5T8
 
Hope you enjoyed this weeks column and see you in 2 weeks---contact me at bluesslider88@yahoo.ca or at cktimes with any comments you would like to make about classic vinyl



Allan Day----long time acquaintance of John Gardiner----I presently live in Goderich Ontario, retired (oh yeah) and live for the sound of music, especially from the 60's music explosion---I hope you enjoy some of my articles and they bring back some lost memories of bands gone by. Now I have to let you know that I am a HUGE Rolling Stones fan, collector, historian and I hope to hear any stories you might have on this GREAT Band from the 60's----email me at CK Times and let me know what you have or memories you have of this group. I will include stories and short stories on The Stones each week.